Photo Gallery

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has been named Esquire magazine’s Truck of the Year.

Esquire’s editors say in their December issue they considered all potential truck models in the U.S. market, balancing attributes with conventional touchstones that outline what makes a great truck, such as efficiency, functionality, versatility, safety, value and style.

“Recognition from Esquire magazine is proof that pickups have found their way into a variety of lifestyles,” said Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO—Ram Truck Brand. “In such a competitive market, we are thrilled to earn a ‘Truck of the Year’ title from Esquire. The Ram 1500 delivers with a winning combination of best-in-class fuel economy and capability and going forward, Ram will continue to set the pace with the best trucks in their segments.”

The EcoDiesel-powered Ram 1500 is rated 28 mpg on the highway from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , which is the best highway-cycle test result yet achieved by a full-size, half-ton pickup. It also exceeds the EPA highway rating for the top-ranked small pickup.

The previous half-ton fuel efficiency record was set by the Ram 1500 with the available 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 gasoline engine at 25 mpg highway.

“This is where the truck tide turns: a full-sized American pickup with a just-big-enough diesel V6—the only one of its kind,” noted Esquire magazine in its feature. “You get the fuel economy of a small engine, the pulling power of a larger one and the grumble of a working-class diesel.”

The Ram 1500 offers various technologies that help fuel savings like an eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start system, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.